“There is a man did that. True. Went into the woods and lived in a cage—”
“All that trouble and expense for nothing,” again remarked Molly; and this time Monty changed the subject, asking:
“Have you heard about Wun Sing and his hen?”
“Oh! never mind hens. What do you say, folks? Suppose we get old Lem to go with us into the mountains yonder and look for Jim?” said Herbert.
“You needn’t do that. You’d not find him. He’s hidden himself on purpose, I believe, and only sent back Netty to let us know he was alive and well. Even Molly thinks that,” said Helena; “and I, for one don’t care to hunt up boys who don’t want to be found. I think Jim’s shyness is at the bottom of the matter. It’s kindness to let him alone and—”
Dolly looked serious and shook her head while Monty again demanded:
“Have you heard about Wun Sing’s hen?”
“I wonder what he’s going to give us for supper! I’m nearly starved. There never was such a place for appetites—eating doesn’t stop that hollow, all-gone feeling a bit!” calmly stated Alfy, with a tragic air.
“Alfy, you little pig! It isn’t more than an hour since we finished dinner,” reproved Molly, laughing.
“Well, I can’t help that. I wish ’twas supper-time. Let’s go in the kitchen and ask for a piece—like the children home do, bless ’em!”